IFN-β was chosen to search for evidence of action of type I IFNs in MG thymus, as this type of IFNs plays key roles in host immune response against viral infections and has been widely implicated in autoimmune conditions [46]; MxA was investigated as it is an important mediator of type I IFNs in the innate antiviral response [35]. This evidence concerns the gene IFNB1 and viral infectious disease.